Former India head coach Anil Kumble isn't counting Afghanistan out in the ICC World Cup 2019. They may be considered far from making it to the top four, but Afghanistan has the ability to give a strong fight in the mega tournament. 

Kumble knows Afghanistan has players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman who could create havoc for the opposition. 

Calling Afghanistan the second best team in the last Asia Cup, Kumble expects them to give tough competition to other teams.

“Afghanistan was the second-best team in the Asia Cup. They tied the game against India, gave a scare to Bangladesh and Pakistan. Afghanistan as a whole has been helped by players playing T20 leagues around the world. Rashid Khan is a hero and Mohammad Nabi is fantastic as an all-rounder, there are Mujeeb and some other wonderful players. They will certainly give a scare to certain teams in England,” Kumble told CricketNext.

“In the shorter formats especially T20s batsmen don’t pick some like Rashid or Mujeeb. If they can get their batting together and score 250-260 they’ll be very competitive Mohammad Shahzad can just go and blast or get out the first ball. He is that sort of player who can put the opposition under pressure. They have the ability but all depends on how their batsmen are able to cope,” he added.

Kumble, who played 132 Tests for India, advised Afghanistan to bat first to let their bowlers do the magic in the second innings.

“Their best game plan should be to put runs on the board and not chase. They have the spinners to pick wickets and put pressure on the opposition. It is important that Afghanistan structure their innings in such a way that they can get to 260-270 then they will be asking a lot of questions,” he said.

Afghanistan's opening challenge in the World Cup is against five-time World Cup champions Australia. 

(With CricketNext Inputs)